House



.(No Model.) `3Sheuats--Sheet; 1.

4G'. WBSTINGHOUSB', Jr.

` Switch and'SignalApparatus.

Nb. 240,629. f PatentedAQril 26,1881.

(No Modal.) 3 sums-sheet a.

2G. WESTINGHOUSB, Jp'. l Switch and Signal Apparatus. N0. 240,629.PatenftedApril 26, 18871.?

N.PEERS. PNDTOJJYHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON, D C,

' (No Modell) v G.,WESTINGHOUSE, Switch and' Signal Apparatus.

NJT ooooooooooooooo Pm. v/Asnmeorg. D'. c.

. To all 'whom it mag/concern:

e UNIT-nn.

. enoaenyvnsrmenousn, Ja., oF PITTSBURG, PnNNsvnvANIA.

/vlioi-i AND s|eNAL jAPPARATus.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.24o,e29, dated Marzo,1881.

i `application led JanuaryS, 418814. model.) i i Be it known thatd,GrnoneanfWnsrINd` HOUSE, Jr., of Pittsburg, county of Allegheny,`

. State of Pennsylvania, have in'vented or discovered a new and usefulImprovement in Switch and Signal-Apparatuspand I do hereby declare thefollowing tobe a full, clear,lcon cise, and exact description thereof",reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, mak` ing a part of thisspecifiation, in which-like letters indicating like partsi F`gure1,Sheet-Irisa ground plan or dia-- gram of a system or `arran gement ofswitches, switch-actuating mechanism, signal-posts,and signal andswitch-pipe connections for actuating the switches and signals from asingle` point-,orfrom a switchmans cabin. Fig. 2,; Sheet 2, is a`diazgrram view, to a` somewhat larger scale, of the apparatus employedin the switchinans cabinby the use of which to ap-i ply the operativefluid-pressures in any desired order for the proper actuating ofswitches and signals. While these two views show with` sufcient fullnessmanyof the featuresot construotion,and some of the operativecombinations hereinafterclaiined, they are also intended to illustratethe manner ot' applying, generally, my present invention in a systelnot'Huid-pressure switches 4and signals, from `which, and the explanationhereinaftergiven, the skilled constructor will understand how to applyandi use-the invention in theorganization of simi-` llarmechanism forAtheactuating of other ar-` rangements ot switches and signalsj Ivigf,`Sheet] ,shows in elevatiointo an enlarged scale, a signalpost, signals,and operative mech` anism suitable for. use at each of the signal-4points marked S S8 oi Fig. 1. Fig. 4, Sheet l, is a longitudinalsectional view, to an enlarged scale, of a difieren tial cylinder andpis-l `ton device, such as I prefer to useifor the pur-` -pose oftransmitting the operative Huid-pressure to the movable switch-rails.Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is an enlarged top view of one of the diaphragm-boxesof Fig. 2. Fig.J Gis avertical sectional view of the diaphragm-box ofFig. 5.

i a rear-end view, to an enlarged scale, of one of Fig.17,' Sheet 3, isa view-inelevationlslightly` enlarged) of the seriesof-valves showln inthe front of Fig.`2, and oi' the interlocking apparatus used inconnection therewith. Fig. 8 is` theivalves of Fig. 7. Fig.9 isalongitudinal `sectional lview `of one ofsnch valves (in the plane oftheline x x otf Fig. 8, and also through the interlocking devices(enlarged) in the plane ofthe same line of Fig-7. FigJlO is a sectionalview inthe plane of thelinea@l of Fig. 9, looking to the left. Fig. 11is a sectional view, showing the valve-ports inthe planeof ,the line yy, Fig.` 8. Fig. 12 is a detached view,

in perspective, of the valve proper, showing its seating' or bottomface. Figs.` 13 and 14 are detached views. of y`the front .and rearsectorplatesemployed` in :operating ythe. locking apdevicesof Fig. 7 5and Figs.xl6 `and 17 are detached side views ofthe-locking slide-barsemlployed aspresently-to be explained;` and Fig.

1S-is an enlargedview, .in perspectivaof the compressed air to,*an'd.releasing `it from, the

other side of such i'l'exihle'diaphragm. And

:myinvention `also includes thearranging of a `series of twoor more suchdiaphragms on one f i `ormore of such close hydraulic columns, with a icompressed-airpipe-connectiontoeach, where` `by such hydraulic column`may be `employed for moving a signal or a switch, in combinahydrauliccolumns. Andlinclude also, asa part of mypresent invention, an` improvedvalve-motion, whereby the compressed air may be turned on to anypredetermined number of diaphragms, so as tofsecu'rethe shifting ormoving of the desiredsignals and switches,` and at the same time, byfurtherimpr'ovements, effect the locking of allother valves, so that thesignals and switches'which ought not/at that time to be moved cannot be;And I'also `include other features of constructionand op- IOO . 9o ytion with any desired one of two or;more other` `which I have lettered Sto S8.

E, I have shown. a cross-over, and another atl H. In convenientproximity to each switch, and properly arranged for moving the switch bya piston-stroke, is a switch-cylinder provided with a piston, and thesecylinders, arranged at or opposite their respective switches,

lI have numbered 1 to 8.

Signal-posts and signals of suitable construction-(such, for example, asare shown in Fig. 3) are put up at proper points, andin the presentsystem I have represented eight such points,

Each signalpost has thereon, or in convenient proximity thereto, asignal-cylinder, s, Fig. 3, having -a piston therein, thestem s of whichhas a suitable connection with a semaphore, s2, or other known form ofday or night signal, such as will impart to it the desired motion. Andwhile the construction,forni, or style of signal may be varied atpleasure, the one shown will answer the present purpose. I have shown inthe same figure a signal-lantern, s3, and a colored lens, s, for nightsignaling. rIhe ordinary operation of these or other similar devices isassumed.

From one end (preferably the back end) of each switch-cylinder I carry ahydraulic pipe to a convenient point at or near the cabin. IhesepipesIhavelettered c to a. A like series of hydraulic pipes,c toc8,extend from the sev-l eral signal posts or points to a likeconvenient pointin or near the cabin. Each pipe, whether lsignalorswitch,terminatesin orhas connected therewith, preferably at or nearits cabin end,

one ormore diaphragm-boxes, c to 623, Fig.v 2,

the construction of each diaphragm-box being substantially asrepresented in Figs. 5 and 6, where e represents the diaphragm-boxproper, and 624 a iiexible diaphragm therein. rIhe connectiony of eachhydraulic pipe with its diaphragm-box, or with each diaphragm thereon,

lis by a port, 625, beneath the diaphragm. A

like .port,'e2, leading from the open space of the box above thediaphragm, makes connection by a pipe with a valve-box, of which severalare shown,which areletteredP-to P8; but for. convenience of illustrationand lettering I have; inv Figs. 8.to 10, indicated it by the letter P,P10 being the cap. The pipes connecting the diaphragms and valve-boxesare marked z to a.

vIt will nowbe readily understood that if, by

air-pressure be turned on or applied through the pipes z to 223, orthrough any of them, the pressure so transmitted, acting on the tops ofthe corresponding diaphragms in the diaphragm-boxes e to 623, will forcethe Water or other liquid out ofthe chambers beneath such diaphragmsthrough the corresponding pipes leading thence to the signalorswitch-actuatin g mechanisms, and by actuating the latter shift theswitches over to make the desired trackconnections, and also will shiftthe appropriate signals to safety positions. The amount of liquid,preferably non-freezin g, in each h ydraulic column is, as near as maybe, sufficient to lill its diaphragm box and pipe, and theactuating-cylinder at the switch or signal, up to the point at which thepiston or diaphragm should begin its proper movement, and hence I termit a close column. On thereleaseoftheuidpressure from the pipes z to z2,or such of them as may have been charged, the pressure ou top of theseveral diaphragms will hereleased,and

structing and operating signals and switches herein described, I do notlimit myself to any -particular form of valve for turning on or applyingand turning off or exhausting the airpressure, I have shown in Figs. 8to 14 a suitable construction of valve for thepurpose.

P represents the valve-box, closed by a cap, P10, and wherein is arotary valve, c, made of a disk form, with two projecting lugs, fu, onits back face, by which, through counter-lugs fw on rotary wrench w, togive it the proper motions. rIhe valve has a port, v2, preferably oblongin form, extending through it, so that compressed air, admitted by theport p to the space between the valve@ and its operatingwrench w, may beadmitted through the port v2 to a port, v3, which communicates with the,pipe or pipes leading to the switch-operating diaphragms@5 to em, andalso toa portyv, which Vcommunicates with the pipe or pipes leadinglcausing the forward end (in the direction of its motion) of the port v2to register first with the TOO IIO

IIS

ISO v -tion ofwhich'will port 21S-and next, by a-further movement of thevalve, so that the porti;2 shall register with o4,the-communications.shall be such that the air-pressure so passingthrough r4 shall put the 4proper hydraulic column or columnsin motionfor properly shifting the signal or signals for the track-linepreviously made and this is the reason for preferring the oblong form ofport. The valve o also has a cavity or chamber, o5,

i on its under or seating face, of such form that,

on a reverse movement of the valve, (which rst cuts oit' the supply,)such cavity acts as a connecting-port between the ports c3 o4 and anexhaust-port, c, leading to the open air; hence yWillen the cavity t5comes over the ports 113 and o4 the previously-applied air-pressure willescape through the port v6, and the` previouslymoved hydraulic columnswill make a returnstroke or How back to till their respectivediaphragm-boXes, under the action ot' any suitable reverse force appliedto the pistons at the switch and signal ends ot' such columns, and forthis latter purpose a spring, weight, or back-acting duid-pressure maybe employed; hence the previously-moved switches and sig-, nals willthereby be reversed in position. ``And it should valso be observed thatthe reversej movement of the valve c, as described, Will rst uncover theport c4, which is the4 signalactuating port, as a result of which thecorresponding signals Will come toa danger position inv advance ot` thereverse shifting` ot' the switches, which is an important feature inapparatus ot' this class. i

It should also be noted that when the pressure is turned on the tiatface ofthe valve covers the exhaust-portes. The valve and itsactuating-wrench are kept apart, and the valve is held to its seat inthebottom ofthe valve-box by a coiled-wire spring,fw3, and the necessary,ypacking is added, as'at 02, for making a tight.4 joint. The wrench-stem.fc4 projects throughk the cap P10, and on its projecting end is keyed orotherwise secured a sleeve, g', on which is 1 made or secured anoperating valve-handle, g. For con vcnieneein construction, what lherein speak of as a sleeve, g', may be made in sections, as indicatedin Fig. 9, but in such case all the sections are to be keyed or other-Wise secured to thestem 104, so that all shall move or rotate together 5hence all the sections Will constitute, mechanically, a single sleeve,and as such "I, designate them all by oneletter, g. r On `valve-boxes Pand P?, Fig. 7, the handles l are prolonged, so as to form crank-armsg2, and onA each of the sleeves of. the other boxes, P3 to P", are twosector-plates, h h, the arrangement of which on the stems relative toeach otheris as represented in Figs. 7 and 9, and the funcpresently beexplained but it should also be stated that the valve-boxes P 'andP2contain valves onlyforactuating signals, and hence in these the ports o,for switchr v pipe connectionsmay be omitted or closed. 1 -zIn furtherdescription I Wi1l,torconvenience, simply speak of the devices at P toP5, Figs. 2,

7, and 15, as valves. convenience in locking and unlocking, be arrangedin a row, side by side, and in compact order, as in Fig. 7, and thehandles g may in the successive valves of the series be arranged atdifferent distances from the. endsfot' the stems, so that as the valvesare rotated the handle of one valve may pass that ofthe next; or thevalves may be arranged farther apart than is indicated, so that thehandles arranged in the saine vertical planeshall not strike or engageeach other ibut the front sector-plates, yh, ot' all the valves shonldbein line with each other, or in acomrnon vertical plane, and like wisethe rear sector-plates, lL. Extending along between the two series ofsector-plates thus formed is a cylindrical bar, D", Fig. 9, on which area series of sleeves, d d d2, Figs. 7 and l5, the num her and lengthot'each ot which may bevaried, in accordance With the Wcrkto be done, onprinciples presently to be explained. Eaehsleeve turns readily on thebar D', and lockingarms a n project out radially from the sleeves, onepair-that is, a frontend rear onebeneath each pair of sector-plates h h.one-say the rear--series of these locking- Such valves may, for

Under Y arms are two notched hars, B B2, of which the one, B', isconnected with the crank-arm g2 of the valve P', and the other with thecrank-arm gzot' the valve P2. In the normal position ot' the apparatus',Whichis that shown in Fig. 7, the levers ot' P and P2 are turned to theright, solas to turn on the Huid-pressure from P through z to diaphragme on the signal-line c', and thereby set signalat S to sat'ety,7thisbeingthe signal for indicating main line A clear.v Alsotinidpressure is turned on from P2, through pipe 221,' to diaphragm621011 signal-line c6, so as to raise signal at S to safety, this beingthe signal for the other main track. All other levers are turned to theleft, in which position tiuid-pressure is turnedi'rom` the other lines,so that all switches are closed or set to make the main track clear andall'the other or the siding-sig.- nals are at dangen i Each `frontsector-plate has atone en di (which I call the forwardend.) of itsperiphery a recess, m, Figs. 9, 13, formed by projectingllugs, and at`the other or back end a stop-shoulder, x. Each rear sector-plate has atthe forward end ot its periphery a lug, x2; and at a little distancetherefrom, less, however, than the length of the valve-motion necessaryto open theports c2 c3, it has an incline, x3, which termi- 4nates'inthe curved edge x4.

The front locking-arman, are Weighted or pressed or forced down by aspring, so that the tendency will always vbe to turn the rear arm, n',upward. VWith the levers g of valves P3 to P8 in the position shown, orturned to the left, Fig. 7, the rear arms, n', Will be turned up intothe recesses formed in the rear sectors, 71.', between the lugsx. andinclines ma, and While thearms a are in this position the valvelevers ywill be locked, because they cannot IOO IlO

`against a downward motion by be moved far enough to open ports v2 c3,except by causing-the inclines x3 to depress the arms n'; and the arms nare held in position as means of the projections b to b3 on the'bar B',Fig.16, andthe projections b4 to b, Fig. 17, or some of them, as shown.For reasons which will presently appear, I prefer,in the apparatus ashere organized, to arrange the arms n n of the valve P3 on one sleeve,d, the arms n a of the valves P*l to PG on another sleeve, d', and thoseof the other two valves, P7 P8, on a third sleeve, d2. Also, I cut anotch, o, Figs. 7 and 18, on the end of each sleeve d and d2, at the endnext the intermediate sleeve d, the length of the notch being equal, orabout equal, to the rotary motion of either sleeve in the movement ofits arms n a. In each end of the sleeve d I insert a pin, o', so that itshall project into the adjacent notch o,at or near the end of the notch,toward which it willv move as d is rotated. It will now be seen that dor d2 may be each or both rotated without rotating d', but that anyrotary motion imparted to the latter will cause a corresponding rotationof both the former.

As already stated, shifting the handle g of valve P to the left lets offthe pressure, so as to shift the signal at S' to danger. The samemovement also shifts the bar B to the right, so

that the recesses bl to b3 shall come beneath the locking-arms n', whichbefore were held or locked up by the projections b to b3, The locking-arms of val ves P3 to Pil are all then unlocked, so far as the bar Bacted as a locking device; but by reference to Fig. 17 it will be seenthat all are still locked by the bar B2 except P3. By moving the leverof this valve over to the right I turn on air-pressure, through pipe zg,to vdiaphragm-box 618 and putin motion the hydraulic column in pipe a8,which leads to switch-cylinder 8, so as to shift that switch to make asidingconuection F; also, this motion ot' the valve next turns onair-pressure, through pipe c4, to diaphragm-box e4 on the signal-linec4, which leads to the signal at S4 for siding F, and shifts it fromdanger7 to safety. The train may then proceed onto or off of siding Ffrom or to main track A, after which the lever of valve P.3 may bereversed, the signal at S4 brought hack to danger, and the main-trackconnection restored. Reversing P will relock P3 and put the mainlinesignal at S to safety Io illustrate how my system of construction andoperation may be employed in moving trains from one main track over to asiding outside the other main track or from a siding outside of oneInain track over to the other main track or to a siding of the same, Iwill describe a number of operations which may be performed with theapparatus as here represented, and first I will assume that a train isto pass from the main track A, by cross-over H, onto main track B, andthen onto siding G, or in the reversel direction: First, the main-.track signals should be putat danger, as a from main track A to sidingv protection against approaching trains, which is done by shiftingvalves P and P2 to the left, as already described. Thus the bar B isshifted to the right, as and with the result already-stated. Shiftingbar B2 to the right results in bringing the recesses 1214 to b18 underthe locking-arms a of valves P4 to P8, so that the levers of all thevalves P3 to Paare then unlocked. Valves P4 to P6 being thus unlockedthe operator turns valve P4. The first effect` results from the actionof its rear sector-plate, h', on its locking-arm n. The incline :r3depresses the locking-arm, and that causes the partial rotation of thesleeve-section d", as a result of which the front locking-arms, n, ofvalves P5 P6 are rotated up into the recesses x of their frontsector-plates, h, so as thereby to lock valves P5 and P". Also, therotation of d', thus effected, causes, through the action of the pinso', the rotation in the same direction of the end sleeves, d and d2, asa result of which the front arms, n, of these sections will be rotatedup into the recesses x of the front sectorof the corresponding valves P3P7' plates, L, P8, so as also to lock them. Also, the downward .movementof the rear locking-arms, a', thus caused, brings such arms into therecesses b10 to 1113 of bar B', and b14 to 1118 of bar B2, so `thatthese bars are locked, and through them the signal-valves P P2 aresecurely locked, sothat while the train is moving over the track from Ato Gr or the other way, or

while the track is in condition for such train movement, the main-linesignals are locked at dangeri valve is locked except the one that is inmo tion, P4. The` movement ot' this valve also lets `on pressure,through pipes el z8 z5, to diaphragm-box 016 on hydraulic column a7,leading to switch-cylinder 7, also to diaphragmbox e on hydraulic columna3, leading to switchcylinder 3, and to diaphragm-box e5 on hydrauliccolumn ce', leading to switch-cylinder l. The actuation of the pistonsin these cylinders 7, 3, and 1 will, as will be seen from the diagram,Fig. 1, make the required track-connection. As soon as this is doneair-pressure turned on through si gnal-pipe z2 to diaphragmbox @20uhydraulic signal-column c2 will shift signal at SZ to safety,77 and thetrain may proceed. The reversal of all the operations described in thereverse order restores the entire apparatus to its normal position.

As a second operation, pass a train from' siding C onto main track B,thence by cross-over E onto main track A, and thence onto siding F. Theoperation last described is to be repeated, except that instead ofmoving valve P4 the switchman moves valve P5. In the manner alreadydescribed this motion locks all other valves in the manner set forth,and turns on pressure by pipes 219 z4 z z to diaphragm-box 619 onswitch-column a", so as to shift switchcylinder S also to box c14 oncolumn a6 leading to switch-cylinder 6, also to box 612 on column a5leading to switch-cylinder 5, and tobox 6G It will also bel seen thatevery IIS 2 5 corresponding switches.

o 1217 and Z118 of bar B2.

240,629 Y v V5 on column a2 leading` to switch-cylinder 2, so

as to shift the corresponding switches. Like` pressure is, by acontinuation of the 4same valve motion, turned` on through si gnal-pipe` z3 to 5 diaphragm box c3011 hydraulic column c3lead- 1o train is tobe run from siding F by main track A, cross-over E, main track B, ontosiding D., vFor this 'purpose the valves are to he shifted, as before,in the first operation, except that PF is moved instead of P4. Thismotion locks P4 and P5 by the movement of the locking-arms n. u', andalso of all the other valves, in the manner stated. Fluid-pressure isalso turned on through pipes 2171373277270 to diaphragm-box 617 onhydraulic switch-column a8, also to diazo phragm box cl3 on hydraulicswitch-column a6,

also to box ell on hydraulic column a5, and to box ew on hydrauliccolumn a4, whereby said hydraulic columns are put in motion so as to=operate switch-cylinders 8, 6, 5, and 4 andthe Next, duid-pressurepasses by pipe e7 to diaphragm box e7 on hydraulic signal-column c5 tosignal at S5, so as to clear the appropriate signal for` thisline.`

After the train has passed the reversal of the 4 3o operation againbrings all `to the normal position.

As a fourth operation,a train may be run` `from main track B to sidingD. For this purpose it is only necessary to shift signal No. 6l todanger,77 and this may be doneby moving valve P2 and its bar -B2 so asto bring the recesses b77 and blB under the corresponding-locking-armsa' of the valves P7 and P8, thereby unlocking these valves. It will beseen: from 4o Fig. 16 that these valves are not locked by the bar B whenin its normal position, (which it still retains,) but that all the othervalves, P3 to P6, are locked by said bar B. The switchman now shifts thevalve P7, and in doing so rotates the sleeve-section d2, so as to lockvalve P8 by turning up its front locking-arm, a, into the recess .r ofits front sector-plate, h, and also locks the bar B2 by turning the rearlockingarms, a', of valves P7 and P8 into the recesses Hence all theother valves are locked except P', andas this is the valve for workingthe main-line signal of main track A,no harm will result from moving it,

if the switchman by mistake docs so, except to stop all travel on thattrack. The apparatus being in this condition the switchman, by theshifting of valve P7, also turns on pressure by pipe a9 to diaphragm-boxe9 on hydraulic swi-tchcolumn a4, and through it and its switch-cyl- 6oinder 4 shifts the corresponding switch. i The further movement of thevalve P7 applies pressure'through pipe e to diaphragm-box 622 on`hydraulic signal-column c7, and through it to signal atV S7, so as toclear the signal for the track thus made, and after the train passes themain track is restoredby reversal, as before.

As a fth operation,a train .is to be run from siding G, by main track B,onto siding D. For this purpose the apparatus is worked as in the caselast supposed, except that the valve P8 is to be rotated instead of P7.This valve P7 will be locked `by the rotation of d2, and the othervalves will be locked as before. Fluid-pressure I.will also be applied,through -pipes z e7, to diaphragm-box @75 on hydraulic made. Reversalresults, as before, in restoration of main track.

While any suitable form of switch-cylinder with piston or diaphragm,double-acting or single-acting,imay be employed, I prefer to use at eachswitch a differential piston and cylinder of the constructionsubstantially asindicated in Fig. 4, Sheet l. If this construction ofswitch-cylinder is used, the hydraulic operating-column should beconnected with the larger or back end, m, ofthe cylinder, so as to beoperative on the piston of the larger area with sufficient force tothrow the movable rails of the switch to make the siding or cross-overconnection, and also as against a lesseffective Vpressure operative fromthe other end, mi, of

the cylinder ona piston of less area. Prefer ably the latter pressure iscontinuously-actin g, so that on the release of pressure at the largerend it Will always be operative in restoring the main-track connectionby` giving at once the desired reverse throw. If any pressure `leakspast either piston it may be allowed to escape by a small leakage-port,o2, made be-y tween thepistons. As a suitablemeans of gettingthecontinuouslyacting pressure on the smalleror on thereversing piston,a pipe, u, Fi g. l, of comparatively large diameter may be laid alongnear the line of switoh-cylinders,`wi`th a branch, u', to the reversingend of each. This pipe may be keptch arged, like a reservoir, withcompressed air to any'desired degree of density sufficient for thepurpose; and as a motive power for putting the hydraulic columns inmotion I may use compressed air from the same pipe, taking it by abranch, u?, to the cabin, and thence along over the line of valves tothe several ports p, as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 2 andV 15,and by full lines in Figs. 7 to 10. Butthe source from which theairpressure is takenis not important as regards IOO IOS

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the movements described, though, as illustrated, the supply byanair-main is believed to be the best; but hydraulic power may also beapplied for giving a reverse motion to the differential pistons, andsuch pressure may be taken from any suitable or convenient accumulatoror other head or supplyunder pressure; also, the continuously-acting`pressure maybe applied between the differential' pistons, in which casethe force acting to give a back-stroke tothe pistons will .be vdue tothe,

' applied at the larger end, as before; but I do not limit myself inthis part of my invention to any particular arrangement of the ports forintroducing the pressures, provided, only, that one pressure shall becontinuously acting in one direction, to give a throw or motion in onedirection, and a pressure greater in eifective power shall at pleasurebe operative to shift or impart motion in the other direction, and suchgreatereffect may also be due to a greater vdegree of pressure', inwhich case a single ordinary piston may be used; or it may be due todifference in piston-areas, in which case the opposing pressures may bethe same in degree; but, as already stated, instead of a fluidpressureto give a reverse throw, a spring or counter-weight may be employed.

In further explanation of the drawings, it should be stated that thediaphragm-boxes of Fig 2 will ordinarily be arranged in the cellar ofthecabin, and the pipes e" to 223 will then lead down from a floor above,and I have shown them in diagram form simply for clearness ofillustration.

From the description thus given the skilled articer will understand howto modify forms and proportions, as Well 'as the number of the partsdescribed, with reference to adapting this system of construction andoperation to actuating switches and signals in other combinations orground plans. One valve t should ordinarily be provided for each line oftrack-connection to be made, and a pipe should lead from the port v3 ofsuch valve to a diaphragmbox on each hydraulic column to be operated soas to shift the proper switches on the motion of that valve; but it willbe also possible, and perhaps in some cases advantageous, where two ormore switches may enterinto either one of two track-combinations, todivide up the combinations, putting the switches common to bothcombinations into an operative relationship or connection with onevalve, and the rest of each ofthe two supposed combinations into a likerelationship with two other valves, so that two valve-motions willberequired to make either track-combination. The skilled constructor willalso vary the arrangements of notches and recesses on the bars B B2.,and the lengths and orderly operation of the sleeves d to d2, or otherlike sleeves on the shaft D', according to the work to be done. Themaking up and working out oftrack-combinations, and of varying theoperative machinery with reference thereto, is already a branch of theart, the principles of which are understood by those skilled therein 5and unnecessary parts being omitted and the proper modifications made,such as will be within the knowledge of the skilled mechanic, theapparatus may be applied to the switches of a single-track road.

` The same features of improvement, some or all of them, may, by theskilled constructor, be adapted to the moving of railway-gates, as wellas of signals and switches, and such use is included herein, it beingunderstood, however, that in the combinations hereinafter claimed agate-moving mechanism may take the place of a switch-moving mechanism,or be added to the switch-moving mechanism, and that a signal may beprovided therefor, either specially or in connection with thatswitchmoving track combination of which the gateactuating mechanism mayform a part.

In so far as relates to the application of airpressure at the pleasureof the operator for the purpose of putting a hydraulic column in motion,I do not limit myselfto the particular form or construction of valvedescribed, since other valves of like function and operation may besubstituted for that described without any substantial departure fromthe scope of this part of my invention, or even two separate valves maybe used, (though less advantageously,) one to apply the pressure and theother to release it.

It should also be stated that two or more of the signals described orreferred to may be put on the same signal-post, as already practiced inthe art. And my improved system also contemplates the use oi' carburetedair for night-signals, though no claim is made thereto herein, the sameforming a part of the subject-matter of a separate application; but forillustration I have shown in Fig. 3 an air-supply pipe, u, which may beconnected with the air-main a, and which leads, through apressure-regulator, i, and carbureter i', to the lantern-light. Also,While I believe the interlocking features to be of great importance inapparatus of this character, such interlocking devices may be omitted,if so preferred.

The inclines oe3 of the sector-plates h', as a means for actuating amovable locking device, operate simply as eccentrics, and any knownsuitable form of eccentric may take the place of the incline in eachcase, as the mechanical equivalentthereof, or as substantially the samething.

If it be desired to operate two or more signals simultaneously in any ofthe operations such as described, provision may be made therefor byarranging a corresponding uumber of diaphragmboxes on the properhydraulic column, and carrying an air-pressure pipe from the propersignal-valve to each of such diaphragm-boxes, in like manner as is donein the switch-actuating mechanisms.

In a separate application I have described and claimed an organizationof block-signaling apparatus having a close hydraulic column actuated byair-pressure, the air-valve being operated by or from the train itself;but the invention therein described is properly an improvement on thatherein claimed, to the extent that it takes a part of thepresentinvention and incorporates it in and as apart of a special systemof apparatus.

IOO

IIO

For clearness of. description, and in order that my improved system ofapparatus may, both in its essential details and asa complete system, bethe more readily understood, I have described at some length` theinterlocking features; but so much` of the present apparatus as relatesdistinctively tointerlocking is not included as a part of theinventionherein claimed, but the same willform the subjectmatter ot' anapplication ye't to be `tiled, and will be included in a separa-tepatent. And, in fact, while I believe the interlocking features to be ofgreat importance in apparatus of this character, such-interlockingfeatures maybe wholly omitted, if so preferred. The remainder oftheapparatus will give equally good results, it' properly worked, but anelement of safety will be lacking; or other interlookin g apparatus maybe employed with the features of improvement herein claimed.

I claim herein as myinvention- 1. The method of operating railwayswitches, signals, and gates, which consists in causing compressed airto be applied and released to and from the one side of a liexiblediaphragm, so as to putin motion a close hydraulic column which extendsfrom the other side of said diaphragm to the signal, switch, or gateactuating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. In a switch, signal, or gate operating mechanism, the combination ofa close hydraulic column, a compressed-air conduit, an interposedflexible diaphragm, and an operating-valve, substantially as set forth.

3. In combina-tion with a close hydraulic column terminating at one endin signal, switch, or gate actuating mechanisms, a series of two or morediaphragm-boxes arranged on and in communication with such hydrauliccolumn, and a like series of two or more compressed-air conduit-pipesextending to a like series of independent valves, whereby such hydrauliccolumn lnay be put in motion from any desired one of such valves,substantially as set forth. i

4. A system ot switch, signal, or gate actuating mechanism having, incombination, a series of close hydraulic columns, each terminating inone actuating mechanism, a series of diaphragm-boxes on such hydrauliccolumns in excess of the number of columns, a compressedair conduitconnecting each diaphragm-box with a valve device substantially asdescribed, whereby the hydraulic column or columns having more than onediaphragm may be used in combination with other hydraulic columns.

5. rIhe combination of a close hydraulic column terminating in a switchor gate actuating mechanism, a like column terminatingin asignal-actuating mechanism, a diaphragm-box on each column,compressed-air conduits leading from such diaphragm-boxes toa valve-casecommon to both, and a valve having a system of arrangement ot' ports,substantially as set forth, whereby the air-pressure shall beturned ontothe switch or gate column in advance of .by with one motion ot' thevalve all the hydraulic columns of' the series may be simultaneously putin motion to make orbreak a pre- 4 determined line ci' track-connectionover a se. ries ot' successive switches, substantially asset forth.

7. A series of close hydraulic columns terminating in a series ofswitch-actuating mechanisms, and having each a diaphragm box thereon,and a series ot' 'compressed-air conduit-pipes extending one from eachof such diaphragm-boxes to a valve common to all, in combination, bysaid valve, with a compressedair conduit leading to the diaphragm-box ofa signal-operating hydraulic column, whereby, immediately on the makingof the desired line of track-connection over the various switches, bysimultaneously moving all, the appropriate signal for such line oftrack-connection will be shifted on the further movementot the valve,substantially as set forth.

8. In a system of switch and signal actuating apparatus, in which closehydraulic col umns are put in motion by air-pressure,so as to shift theswitches and signals, a. series of valves for applying and releasingair-pressure, of which two, P P2, shall have port and pipe connectionsfor operative 1n ain-line sign als, and locking devices attached forlocking all other valves when main-line signals are brought to safety7and for unlocking such other valves when main-line signals are broughtto"dan ger, substantially as set forth. i

9. In a system ot' switch and signal actuating apparatus, in which closehydraulic colf umns are put in motion by air-pressure, so as to shiftthe signals and switches, and, in combination with such hydrauliccolumns and with the air-conduits, one or more main-line signalvalveshaving port and pipe connections for actuating main-line signals, and aseries of switch and signal operating-valves in any desirednumber,having each one or more port and pipe connections for operating theswitch hydraulic columns, and also having each at least one port andpipe connection for actuating a signal hydraulic column, substantiallyas set forth. Y w

l0. In combination with a switch-actuating hydraulic column and asignal-actuating hydraulic column, the valve o, having an oblong port,r2, by which to turn on an air-supply successively, first through aport, o3, leading to the switch-actuating hydraulic column, and nextthrough a port, c4, leading to the signalactuating hydraulic column,substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of ports c4 o3 'v6 and cavity lv5 of the valve,whereby thecornpressed air is exhausted, rst from the air-conduitleadarea of a differential piston, two compressedair conduits leadingfrom a common main or reservoir, the one to the opposite end of thehydraulic column, and the'other to the opposite end ofthe differentialpiston, whereby both zo switch-shifting motions shall be effected by thesame motor at the same degree of pressure, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE- VVESTINGHOUSE, JR.

Witnesses:

R. H. WHITTLEsEY, GEORGE H. CHRISTY.

